Opening of Two New Memory Cafés Continues Progress Towards a Dementia Friendly Milwaukee County

MILWAUKEE – In the latest step towards creating a Dementia Friendly Milwaukee County, the County Executive, Department on Aging, Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Wisconsin, and other key stakeholder groups will be opening the next two Milwaukee County Partnership Memory Cafés on Wednesday, August 26th. Memory Cafés improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias by providing a safe and comfortable space where they can socialize with their caregivers and others as they would have before their diagnosis. The openings will take place at Three Lions Pub in Shorewood and Pitch’s Express on Milwaukee’s East Side.

“I want to thank all of our community partners in Shorewood and Milwaukee for continuing the progress we have made towards creating a Dementia Friendly Milwaukee County,” County Executive Chris Abele said. “Memory Cafés are important assets that provide a dignified, supportive, and engaging environment for persons with dementia and the addition of two new locations is a win for our community.”A Memory Café offers an opportunity for individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s and related dementias, along with their care partners and family members, to come together in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. It is a time and place to share stories, laugh, cry, share concerns and celebrate without feeling embarrassed or misunderstood. Creating a place where they enjoy each other, and not focus on the disease.County Executive Abele will appear along with Shorewood Village officials, Shorewood community leaders, and key stakeholders from the around the state at the opening of the Memory Café at Three Lions Pub, 4515 N. Oakland, Shorewood, WI, on Wednesday, August 26th at 1:00 p.m.

With the concept of the Memory Café well established in the UK, many of the British-born staff at Three Lions Pub were already familiar with the concept when they were approached to support a Memory Café in their Pub. Being community minded, it was a natural and easy decision for the owners of the English pub to embrace the idea and open their doors.

County officials will also join former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber and other key stakeholders to open the Memory Café at Pitch’s Express, 1750 North Lincoln Memorial Drive in the McKinley Marina Roundhouse, on Wednesday, August 26th at 3:00 p.m. Pitch’s is catering the event and will be offering kosher menu items.

A Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) is one in which people with dementia are empowered to have high aspirations and feel confident, knowing they can contribute and participate in activities that are meaningful to them. In addition to Memory Cafés, other essential elements of a DFC include creating a Memory Connection Center, training public health and public safety officials, and engaging with local businesses and organizing support groups.

Plans are underway to open even more Milwaukee County Partnership Memory Cafés in other communities and neighborhoods in Milwaukee County. Neighborhood support and involvement is critical to the success of the Milwaukee County Partnership Memory Cafés, and each café has its own unique community flavor.